Arsenal injury update: Eberechi Eze, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber latest news and return dates | OneFootball

Gunners are sweating on the fitness of some key players ahead of Champions League semi-final first leg

Arsenal have some major injury concerns ahead of two huge games this week against Atletico Madrid and Fulham.

On a positive note, the Gunners are back on track in the Premier League title race after reclaiming top spot from Manchester City following a 1-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend.

Mikel Arteta’s side will bid to build on that victory when they face Atletico in the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night, with the first leg being staged at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.

They then welcome London rivals Fulham to the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in what Paul Merson believes could be a huge game in the Premier League title race.

Arteta, though, has been handed a fresh double injury scare over Eberechi Eze and Kai Havertz after Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber both missed the win over Newcastle.

Eberechi Eze

Eze has only recently returned to action following a short lay-off with a calf issue but was forced off against Newcastle early in the second half.

The attacking midfielder has since insisted he is fine amid emerging as a doubt for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night with a muscular injury.

Kai Havertz

Havertz lasted just 33 minutes against Newcastle as, like Eze, a muscular injury forced him off and is now a doubt to lead the line in the Spanish capital on Wednesday night.

"They are muscular niggles," Arteta said of Havertz and Eze in the post-match press conference.

"We don't think it's too much. We have to wait and see if they can be available for Wednesday."

Fresh injury concern: Kai Havertz

PA

Expanding on why Havertz had to go off, Arteta added: "He had a little niggle.

"I don't know how serious it is. It didn't look to big. The action, the way he describes it, is not too sharp. But we have to wait and see."

Potential return date: Wednesday April 29, vs Atletico Madrid (A)

Riccardo Calafiori

Riccardo Calafiori played the entire 90 minutes against Sporting CP in the Champions League quarter-final first leg on April 7, but has not featured for Arsenal since.

It has been another frustrating season on the injury front for the Italian, who has not started two consecutive Premier League matches since the start of December.

Despite being tipped for a return to the matchday squad against Newcastle, Calafiori was left out again. Though, it would appear he is in contention to travel to Spain.

Arteta said: “He was very close, but we have certain players that are coming back from injuries and can play certain moments as well, and we need to be balanced in what we need to."

Potential return date: Wednesday April 29, vs Atletico Madrid (A)

Jurrien Timber

It is well over a month since Jurrien Timber last played for Arsenal.

The defender was forced off in the 2-0 win over Everton on March 14 and has subsequently missed the last eight games in all competitions with a groin problem that also saw him withdraw from the Netherlands squad for games against Norway and Ecuador.

There was hope that Timber would return - alongside Bukayo Saka - against Newcastle, but Arteta confirmed in the pre-match press conference that would not be the case.

Arsenal have sorely missed Jurrien Timber during his injury absence

Getty Images

Arteta said. “Jurrien not in the squad.”

A clear indication as to whether Timber will be available for selection against Atletico will come during Tuesday’s training session before the squad departs for Madrid.

Martin Zubimendi

Zubimendi started alongside Declan Rice in central midfield against Newcastle but was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly late in the second half, with Arteta then revealing the Spaniard was suffering with illness.

“Zubi was sick, and at half-time, he wasn't feeling good,” the Arsenal manager explained in the post-match press conference.

“He tried his very best. He played a really good game, and in the end, we had to take him off.”

Potential return date: Wednesday April 29, vs Atletico Madrid (A)

Mikel Merino

Mikel Merino is in a race against the clock to play for Arsenal again this season and be fit for Spain for the World Cup, after having surgery on a foot injury in February.

Asked on Friday whether Merino could still play a part in the Premier League title push this season, Arteta replied: "It's a bit premature to say that.

"He's evolving really well. He's really pushing every boundary that he possibly can.

"But it's a bit early to answer that question."